Bekal Fort

Bekal Fort (Malayalam: ബേക്കല്‍ കോട്ട) is the largest fort in the state of
Kerala, India, spreading over 40 acres (160,000 m2). The important features of
this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening
towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad and wide
steps leading to the Observation Tower which is a rarity. From there one has
ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal,
Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. This observation center had strategic significance in
discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ascertaining safety of
the Fort.The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three
fourth of its exteriors is drenched and the waves continually stroke the
citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearby
bear testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The
zigzag entrance and the trenches around the fort show the defense strategy
inherent in the fort.Unlike most other Indian Forts, Bekal fort was not a center
of administration for no remains of any palace, mansion or such buildings are
found within the fort. Arguably the fort was built exclusively for fulfilling
defense requirements. The holes on the outer walls of the fort are specially
designed to defend the fort effectively. The holes at top were meant for aiming
at the farthest points; the holes below for striking when the enemy was nearer
and the holes underneath facilitated attacking when the enemy was very near to
the fort. This is a remarkable evidence of technology in defense strategy.

History

During the Perumal Age Bekal was a part of Mahodayapuram. The Kodavalam
inscription (Pullur, 7 km from Kanhangad) of Bhasakara Ravi II (the King of
Mahodayapuram) illustrate the undisputed political sway of Mahodayapuram over
this region. Following the political decline of Mahodayapuram Perumals by the
12th century AD, North Kerala including Bekal, came under the sovereignty of
Mushika or Kolathiri or Chirakkal Royal Family (who were a secondary royal
family at that point to the Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas)[1][2]. The maritime
importance of Bekal increased much under the Kolathiris and it became an
important port town of Tulunadu and the Malabar.It was usual in older days for
every royal palace to be protected by a fort. The Bekal fort might have,
therefore, existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas. While writing a
description of the Kolathiri Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P. Padmanabha
Menon writes: "The eldest of the male members reigned as sovereign Kolathiri.
The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkelamkur. The residence
assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was the
Vadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V(B)ekkolath fort is identified
by some scholars as the present Bekal.H.A. Stuart, in his Handbook of South
Canara (1985), makes this observation: "Several forts were built by the Shivappa
Nayaks of Badnore between 1650 and 1670. The two forts of Bekal and Chandragiri
were originally under the Kolathiri or Chirakkal Rajas until the time of
Shivappa Nayaka's invasion. Perhaps, the Bednore rulers might have rebuilt and
improved it.The Battle of Talikota in 1565 led to the decline of the mighty
Vijayanagara Empire and many feudatory chieftains rose in political prominence
including the Keladi Nayakas (Ikkeri Nayaks). The Nayakas realized the political
and economic importance of Tulunadu (which is the region comprising of
modern-day Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts along with the Northernmost part
of Kasargod District ) and attacked and annexed the region. Bekal served as a
nucleus in establishing the dominance of the Nayakas in Malabar. The economic
importance of the port town prompted the Nayakas to fortify Bekal subsequently.
Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka initiated the construction of the fort and it was
completed during the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The speedy completion of the
port was aimed at the defense of the fort from overseas attack and to strengthen
their attack on Malabar. Chandragiri fort near Kasargod was also constructed
during this period.Bekal served as an important military station of Tipu Sultan
when he led the great military expedition to capture Malabar. The coins and
other artifacts unearthed by the archaeological excavation conducted recently at
Bekal fort is a manifestation of the strong presence of the Mysore Sulthans. The
death of Tipu Sulthan in Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799 saw the end of Mysorean
control and subsequently the fort came under the British East India Company.